Structure consisting of prefabricated parts

ABSTRACT

A building skeleton, rising from a foundation, comprises columns of hexagonal profile with outwardly radiating vertical ribs extending from the corners of the hexagon, these columns being interconnected by beams detachably bolted to certain of their ribs. The foot of each column, anchored to the foundation by straps partly imbedded therein, abuts an end of a horizontal locating profile resting on the foundation which may also support a window pane, or wall paneling along with intermediate posts, in the space between two columns; the bottom plate of the profile terminates in an outwardly sloping shelf for the run-off precipitation. The beams at the top of the columns are in the form of C-channels disposed in back-to-back pairs, their flanges carrying a roof structure while the lower flanges of the inner beams support slabs of a false ceiling.

United States Patent Rensch Aug. 29, 1972 [54] STRUCTURE CONSISTING 0F 1,577,082 3/1926 Sierks............................52/97 72 rREFABgCATED 2 1 am e b FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1 a am 953,149 4/1964 Great Britain .5204: Germany 641,078 6/1962 1taly ..52/283 Flllfidi 1969 Primary Examiner-Frank J. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Henry E. Raduazo [21] Appl. No.. 886,655 Anorm xafl E Ross [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 7' [57] ABSTRACT Dec. 23, 1968 Germany 1s 16647.7 2 zg f ffi i iff gf f [52] US. Cl. ..52/274, 52/280, 52/237, radiating vertical "13 extending from the comes of 52/243 52/738 52/22 52/60 52/96 the hexagon, these columns being interconnected by [51] lllt. Ci. .JiMb 2/60 beams deachably bolted to certain of their ribs. The [58] Field of Search..........52/22, 280, 272, 278, 243, foot of each column, anchored m the foundation by 52/274660'666'457'458'237'6l5'97' straps partly imbedded therein, abuts an end of a 738 horizontal locating profile resting on the foundation which may also support a window pane, or wall panel- [561 Mm GM in; along with intermediate posts, in the space UNITED TEN between two columns; the bottom plate of the profile STATES PA terminates in an outwardly sloping shelf for the run-off 1,252 1/ precipitation. The beams at the top of the columns are 2,078,968 7 in the form of C-channels disposed in back-to-back 2,153,672 4/1939 pairs, their flanges carrying a roof structure while the 2,155,709 1 lower flanges of the inner beams support slabs of a 2,177,699 10/1939 false ceiling. 2,499,478 3/1950 2,690,072 9/1954 l1 Claim, Bruins s 3,274,741 9/1966 3,314,740 4/1967 3,372,518 3/1968 SHEET t UP 7 Illllv PATENTED EN 72 Rmsca INVENTOR- ATTORBLY' EELRHARD EBLRHARD G RENSCH INVENTUR.

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1 STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF PREFABRICATED PARTS The invention relates to a structure comprising a framework of prefabricated construction elements.

in my prior U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,372,5l8 and 3,374,593 I have disclosed a framework assembled from prefabricated structural elements, including columns of polygonal cross-section with vertical ribs like arms from the several corners of the polygon. These columns, along with a set of horizontal beams secured to their ribs, form a skeleton which can be completed by the addition of walls, floors and roofings.

The general object of my present invention is to provide, in a building structure, a framework of this description which can be readily assembled, dismantled and reassembled according to a variety of floor plans. This object is realized, in accordance with my invention, by the provision of anchor means removably securing the foot of each column to an underlying foundation, in combination with elongated locstor members resting on the foundation between adjoining columns in abutting relationship with their ribs at the foot of each column, these locator members also serving as a support for wall means (including window panes, panels and possible ancillary posts therefor) extending between the columns beneath the connecting beams which are attached to the columns at an elevated level. The beams, which may be provided with intermediate polygonal junction to form an extended latticework or space grid, may be designed as C-channels with upper flanges supporting a roof and lowerflanges supporting a false ceiling. With the aid of special attachments, some of these beams may be mounted on the column so as to radiate in a direction other than that of the ribs, specifically at angles of 30and 90with reference to these ribs in the case of a hexagonal column.

Advantageously, the locator members are designed as profiles in the shape of flattened tubes with bottom plates terminating in downwardly sloping outer shelves to facilitate the run-off of precipitation.

The foundation may be a slab or a group of spacedapart bases.

Further details of the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. la shows a diagrammatic plan view of a framework structure according to the invention;

FIG. lb shows a perspective view of the framework, namely the left-hand corner of the plan view of FIG. la;

FIG. 2a shows a vertical section through the structure;

FIGS. 2b, 2c are perspective views of a profiled member disposed on the foundation;

FIG. 2d is a plan view of a beam jmction, drawn to a smaller scale;

FIG. 3 shows a horizontal section through a wall with column connections;

FIG. 3a shows a view of a connecting post;

FIGS. 44, 4b, 4c show horizontal sections through wall parts and accessories, FIG 4c being an enlarged view of the area of FIG. 4a lying within circle C;

FIG. 5a shows horizontal section through a column with beam connections at 60 and 90 angles; FIG. 5b, 5c show accessories for FIG. 50;

FIG. 6 shows a partial view of a column with a junction box;

' junctions at 24. Connector FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the column with its anchoring system; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

in FIGS. 10 and 1b, diagrammatic views of a framework are shown. FIG. la shows a plan view of a rectangular structure. The triangular grid or lattice thereof is clearly visible, the indicated at l, the columns at 2 and the supporting members 43 for mounting the beams between the column arms or ribs will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The part shown in plan view at the bottom left of FIG. 1a illustrates the arrangement of rectangular base within the grid, which are adapted to be placed on the foundation or on the horizontal grid.

FIG. lb shows in perspective a framework corner comprising columns 2 and horizontal beam pairs 1 of a ceiling structure and a supporting junction 20 at a point where beams meet without a FIG. 2a shows a vertical section through the outer wall of an integral structure according to the invention extending from the roof to the foundation. Two beams 1 bracketan arm or rib 2 of a column 2 and are bolted thereto at 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 54). Columns, beams and supporting junctions are preferably made of aluminum. The gap left between the pair of beams correspondsin width to the thickness of the column arm and is designated 3. A strip 4, preferably made of aluminum, is inserted in the gap 3. This strip serves as an upper abutment for a multiple-plane window 5 whose lower abutment is formed by a raised rear edge strip or sill 10 of a connecting profile 6. A retaining strip 7 holds the cemented-in multiple-plane window in its desired position.

The profiled member 6 comprises a lower plate 8, the tubular strips 9 and the sill 10. The free, outwardly directed end 8' of the plate 8 is a sloping shelf bent over downwardly to act as a run-off lip. The further uses of this connecting profile will be dealt with hereinafter.

The area A surrounded by double phantom lines represents a fragmentary vertical section through the column 2, illustrating the anchoring system thereof. The anchor 13, which is releasably screwed onto the column core by bolts 14, projects into the interior of the hollow column core 12. The anchor 13, the simplest form of which is shown in FIG. 24, forks outward to act as a grapple at its lower end which is within the foundation. Another possible anchoring system is shown in figs. 7 and 8, illustrating a side view and a plan view of the supporting column and anchoring system. At the foot of the column 2 there are secured, to two diametrically oppositely radiating ribs 54 and 55 thereof, respective sheet-metal straps 56 and 57 which project downwardly beyond the lower edge of the column. The straps and the ribs are provided with congruent bores for the passage of interconnecting bolts (not shown in the drawing). The lower ends of the straps engage in a recess 58in the concrete base 59 and are concreted into same to form the anchoring system. In order to increase the anchoring effect, a bore provided in the lower region of each strip is traversed by a respective pin 60, 61 designed to give a secure grip when the straps are surrounded by concrete. Instead of columns with a hollow core, it is also possible to use columns with a solid core.

immediately below the lower edge of the column 2,

profile (see FIG. 6) and provided with electrical sockets 52, the supply leads being disposed within the column core 12 or'concealed between the ribs 50. The junction box 16 is preferably so constructed that its 16 and the number of sockets can be chosen at will. Preferably the junction box extends down to the floor surface.

The outer beam of the pair of beams l is filled with insulating material 73 between its flanges, the space therefor being closed by a cover plate 17.

To construct a roof, the horizontal beams l are covered with corrugated metal sheets 18 which project particularly suitable for the guiding of electrical leads 70 which are then conducted through the column interior to the connection points, as shown in FIG. 2a.

than half the corresponding side of the triangle being four component triangles lie on the The posts consist of two channel members 29 and minum, between which preferably PVC, is inserted nested, inversely U-shaped 30, preferably made of aluinsulating material 74,

the

and the column 2. It has been found that when using the posts 28a and the posts 28 the wall elements can be constructed in a simple and easily supervised manner. FIG. 3a shows an elevational view of a post 28, resting on a profile 6, with its extension 31 engaging in the gap 3 between a pair of beams 1.

Situated at the upper and lower ends of the column are apertures 32 in the column core in order to ventilate the column and to avoid the accumulation of water of condensation precipitated on the peripheral wall of its interior. I may also arrange a bar heater 46 of about 75 watt power within an outer column.

FIG. 3 also shows the joints between profiled members 6. Each joint between two members 6 is filled with a suitable composition 60. if adjoining profiles are coaxially aligned, the joint is located in the middle between two column arms.

The column 2 in the lower portion of FIG. 3 is shown connected to two horizontal beams 1.

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show sections through the outer and inner walls of the structure. FIG. 4a shows, in conjunction with FIG. 3, the construction of an outer wall consisting of several layers whose erection will now be explained. First of all, hard boards 33 are secured form the outside with the aid of holding strips 71 to a column arm and to post extensions 31 coplanar therewith. Then panels 38, which preferably are made of asbestos cement and are also retained by conventional holding strips 71, are emplaced with a spacing from board 33 defined by the strip thickness. The wall elements are imbedded in permanently plastic adhesive 72.

The panels 33 and 38 represent the outer layer of the outer wall. The other layers are assembled from the inside. First of all an insulating layer 34 is fixed securely by means of spacers or holding elements 35 between the columns. On this insulating layer, panels 36 preferably made of plasterboard are secured by means of clamping strips 37 engaging in holding elements 35. The plasterboard panels can be wallpapered in the usual way. Selectively arranged insulating parts are indicated at 40. This wall construction permits dismantling at any time.

The construction of the inner wall (FIG. 4b) differs from that of the outer wall only in that the asbestos-cement panel 38 is replaced by an inner wall panel 36' made of plasterboard or the like, while for holding and connecting the individual wall elements there is used a vertical strip 39 which engages at its upper end in the beam gap 3 and has spacers or retaining elements 35 arranged at both sides.

FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show on a larger scale, in section, the connection of the beams to a six-armed column. In this connection attention is also drawn to the lower column in the view shown in FIG. 3. The horizontal beams 1 are arranged at both sides of the column arms 2' and connected thereto by means of the bolts 41. A section through the fastener region is shown in FIG. 5c. As illustrated there, bolts 41 are surrounded by sleeves 42 of plastic material which compensate for thermal expansion of the beams and columns without giving rise to cracking noises.

The horizontal beams are U-shaped (see FIG. 5b), with flanges beveled at their ends in order to allow beams to be fitted onto adjoining column arms including an angle of 60.

To connect the horizontal bearm at an angle of l provide an angled connector member 43 which is connected to the column arms in the region of the beam connection, preferably by bolts 41. Connector 43 has the height of the beam and consists of two shanks 44 and 45 including an angle of 30with each other, the apex of these shanks being so flattened at their junction that one shank, preferably the longer shank 45, extends centrally between two column arms. The shank 45 serves for mounting two beams la and lb along the bisector of two adjoining ribs 2'. The beams 1, la and 1b differ only in the shape of their flange ends. The flanges of the beam lb are beveled more sharply than those of the beam 1, whereas the flanges of the beam la are foreshortened and have beveled edges starting only at the end of the shank 45 of the connector 43, in order not to interfere with the beams I mounted on the neighboring column arm 2.

The structure according to the invention can be erected, regardless of the choice of floor plan, from the same prefabricated parts in every case, permits simple assembly and is completely dismantlable, and can be reerected at another site with the use of the same parts.

What is claimed is:

l. A prefabricated building structure comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart columns rising from a foundation, said columns having a polygonal crosssection with vertical ribs radiating from the corners of the polygon;

a set of beams interconnecting said columns at an elevated level, said beams being detachably joined to certain of said ribs;

anchor means securing the foot of each column to said foundation;

elongated locating members resting on said foundation between adjoining columns in abutting relationship with a rib of each column at the foot thereof; and

a wall-supporting post rising from a locating member to the underside of an overlying beam, said post consisting of two spacedly nested upright channel members of relatively inverted U-shape having the intervening space filled with thermal insulation.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said members form downward-sloping shelves outside said wall means.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said members are profiles of flattened tubular shape including bottom plates integral with said shelves.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said members are cut away above said bottom plates, at angles corresponding to the inclination of abutting column ribs to their longitudinal dimensions, to form a contact edge for said abutting ribs.

5. A structure as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said channel members is provided along its back with a flat extension rising above said post into engagement with said overlying beam.

6. A structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said overlying beam is one of a pair of parallel beams bracketing a column rib coplanar with said extension, the latter terminating in a gap between said parallel beams.

7. A structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said anchor means comprises strap means partly imbedded in said foundation and extending into the space between adjoining ribs.

8. A structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said strap means comprises a pair of straps respectively attached to a pair of diametrically opposite ribs of the column.

connector having a first shank secured to one of said diverging ribs and a second shank bisecting said space;

a set of beams interconnecting said columns at an elevated level, said beams being arranged in parallel pairs with closely spaced webs bracketing certain of said ribs; and

a further beam pair having closely spaced webs secured to opposite sides of said second shank.

1 1. A structure as defined in claim 10 wherein one of said diverging ribs is bracketed by paired beams connected thereto, said paired beams having flanges on their webs with beveled extremities extending into the spaces between adjoining ribs, one of the beams of said further pair having a flange foreshortened to give clearance to the beveled flange extremity of one of said paired beams. 

1. A prefabricated building structure comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart columns rising from a foundation, said columns having a polygonal cross-section with vertical ribs radiating from the corners of the polygon; a set of beams interconnecting said columns at an elevated level, said beams being detachably joined to certain of said ribs; anchor means securing the foot of each column to said foundation; elongated locating members resting on said foundation between adjoining columns in abutting relationship with a rib of each column at the foot thereof; and a wall-supporting post rising from a locating member to the underside of an overlying beam, said post consisting of two spacedly nested upright channel members of relatively inverted U-shape having the intervening space filled with thermal insulation.
 2. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said members form downward-sloping shelves outside said wall means.
 3. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said members are profiles of flattened tubular shape including bottom plates integral with said shelves.
 4. A structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said members are cut away above said bottom plates, at angles corresponding to the inclination of abutting column ribs to their longitudinal dimensions, to form a contact edge for said abutting ribs.
 5. A structure as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said channel members is provided along its back with a flat extension rising above said post into engagement with said overlying beam.
 6. A structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said overlying beam is one of a pair of parallel beams bracketing a column rib coplanar with said extension, the latter terminating in a gap between said parallel beams.
 7. A structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said anchor means comprises strap means partly imbedded in said foundation and extending into the space between adjoining ribs.
 8. A structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said strap means comprises a pair of straps respectively attached to a pair of diametrically opposite ribs of the column.
 9. A structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said anchor means further comprises a foot plate supporting the column, said strap means passing into the foundation alongside said foot plate.
 10. A prefabricated building structure comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart columns rising from a foundation, said columns having a polygonal cross-section with vertical ribs radiating from the corners of the polygon, at least one of said columns being provided with a connector disposed in the space between two diverging ribs thereof, said connector having a first shank secured to one of said diverging ribs and a second shank bisecting said space; a set of beams interconnecting said columns at an elevated level, said beams being arranged in parallel pairs with closely spaced webs bracketing certain of said ribs; and a further beam pair having closely spaced webs secured to opposite sides of said second shank.
 11. A structure as defined in claim 10 wherein one of said diverging ribs is bracketed by paired beams connected thereto, said paired beams having flanges on their webs with beveled extremities extending into the spaces between adjoining ribs, one of the beams of said further pair having a flange foreshortened to give clearance to the beveled flange extremity of one of said paired beams. 